Few tips,
Lot of it happens on the ground, you need to know speeds & altitudes & headings on each phase of the flight (use HDG & ALT bugs) and breif major outcomes and also when the tempo is relaxed do some stuff (e.g. checks, plan next, manage engine…), even if it’s a walk in the park you have to look very busy 
Lot of uncertainty on your flight path comes from ATC and other traffic, so listen on radio or TAS for hints and be clear with IRE/ATC before every approach if you are flying missed, alternative missed or departure…on ILS prepare yourself to both procedural & radar
During the hold, I was asked to lose 2000ft and call ready for ILS (on cruise, I requested to descend from 4500ft to 2500ft and answer was negative )
Be ahead of the plane and anticipate every call from ATC. When you can do that, take the test.
